Madison Memos
The Madison School PTA Newsletter / November 12, 2021
Madison School
Email: memos@madisonschoolpta.org
Website: http://www.madisonschoolpta.org
Location: 1620 Mayo Ave. , Wheaton
Phone: 682-2095
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/653462651407851/
Social Event Held for Madison Parents
Earlier this month, the Madison PTA held a parents-only social event at 302 Wheaton. afternoon. We had a great turnout and a lucky winner of a 50/50 raffle. Thank to Diana Kass Benoist for organizing and Cecilia Savage Horejs for volunteering on site. We hope to have more parents-only events in the future!
Support PTA While Shopping for the Holidays!
Looking for a gift idea for your Madison student? Shop Spirit Wear!
The Madison Spirit Wear store is open until Sunday, November 14 (orders will be delivered the week of December 13!). Browse what's avaialble and place your order HERE.
This will be the last time to order spiritwear this year so get everything you need. If you would like to use this as a present please contact Heidi Coppersmith and they will deliver your order to your house so your kids don't see it!
Shopping on Amazon for the holidays (or just any day)? Consider Amazon Smile
Make Madison PTA your AmazonSmile charitable organization! Did you know that Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to a chairty of your choice? For more information go HERE and search "Madison PTA" as your choice.
Butter Braid Sales Underway!
Now through Monday, November 29, each Madison student is able to help the Madison PTA fundraise by selling Butter Braid treats. Students can help by offering eight delicious varieties (which make a great addition to a holiday meal!) to friends and family. Paper order forms were sent home with students this week, or an online optio to participate is avaialble HERE.
Students are responsible for arranging delivery of all items purchased through their link or paper order form - so don't share this link with people you don't know or those who you aren't able to see in person.
Thank you for your support!
Students Invited to Paritipate with Madison Cares
This year students in each grade will have the option to take part in one project during their lunch recess to support the local DuPage Pads organization. The mission of Pads is to end homelessness by providing immediate shelter and food, and connecting individuals and families with resources on a path to get from dependency to self-sufficiency. Our goal is to help students gain an understanding of the needs of others in our community, and simple ways they can give back. Information with project dates and details will be sent to parents in the weeks prior. Grade level projects will include:
- Making fleece blankets
- Putting together Mens & Womens personal care packs
- Creating activity bags for children
- Putting together baby care donation packs
- Making Valentines cards with a prepackaged treat
If you are interested in volunteering during your student’s project, or have questions, please email secretary@madisonschoolpta.org
Wishes Come True for Madison Teachers
Thanks to the overwhelming success of the fundraising during our annual Fun Run, the Madison PTA was able to grant over $10,000 of functional needs requests to directly support our students.
The PTA functional needs program (aka Wish List) helps teachers and staff purchase larger, more permanent items that they may not have been able to obtain otherwise. Teachers submit requests to the PTA for items they need to help enhance students' learning environment and objectives. The goal is to have PTA funds and functional needs purchases reach as many students as possible, so requests were granted based on the number of students benefiting as well as items that can be used for several years. This year's grants included purchases of supplies and subscriptions to support student enrichment in areas of STEM, Multicultural Diversity, Math, Reading and even the coveted birthday pencils.
There's Still Time to Volunteer!
Get Involved
Multicultural Programming Chair
We are looking to evolve our traditional Multicultural Day and seeking a program chair willing to coordinate volunteers to help highlight various cultures throughout the year. Please contact Lauren DeReus via email at president@madisonschoolpta.org if you have any questions.
Explore More Day
Held the Friday before Memorial Day. Daylong program of learning from parents, guest teachers and hands-on activities. We are in need of a Committee Chair to coordinate the overall event and Sub-committee volunteers. Sub-committee volunteers are also needed for each grade, along with volunteers to teach classes, and help instructors in class. Please contact Lauren DeReus via email at president@madisonschoolpta.org if you have any questions.
Art Appreciation
The PTA is looking for volunteers for Art Appreciation for the following classrooms:
- Bailey
- Fowler
- Karlsson
- Mical
- Rebholz
- Fraser
- Emma
To give you insight into how it works, please see below from a past Art Appreciation volunteer:
My name's Debbie McCraw, and my son, Finn, is in 4th grade. I've been an Art Appreciation volunteer since he was in kindergarten, and we both love it! I was already familiar with the Art Appreciation program from when I was in elementary school, and I truly believe it built a foundation for my love of art and artists.
Once a month (or less if more than one parent volunteers for the class), I go into the classroom to share 1-2 famous artworks with the students, and then we do an activity. The PTA Art Appreciation chair sets the schedule and there's a folder for each lesson, making planning very easy. You can certainly do your own research and share your own knowledge and experiences, but the folders generally contain everything you need for the lesson and activity ideas. Some people will print off worksheets for students to take home, and there are examples of that in the folders. (P.S. The PTA can use the copier at school and has a code - if you need the code, just ask!)
I usually spend about an hour preparing for the visit, writing notes about the artist, the work and the techniques used. I also plan an activity related to the piece. Art Appreciation is more about understanding artists and techniques and learning about famous works than it is about actually doing art projects, so you don't need to be an artist - you just need to have an interest. In the past, we have drawn, colored, written stories, read books and even played games - something fun and engaging related to the artist or artwork. If you plan ahead, you can coordinate with the teacher to borrow supplies from the art room. This photo is from when I taught Finn's kindergarten class about Kandinsky. Each student drew concentric circles, and I put them on a posterboard so Mrs. Bailey could display them.
I love having this opportunity to go into the classroom regularly. It helps me get to know my son's classmates and teachers. I also love sharing my passion and interest in art and hope it helps the kids develop their own interest and appreciation. Finn looks forward to my visit each month, and it gives us an opportunity to talk more about art at home.
Click here to volunteer today!
2021/2022 Madison PTA Leadership
- President: Lauren DeReus
- President-Elect: Debbie McCraw
- Membership: Keri Widmer
- Ways and Means: Kate Kessler and Diana Benoist
- Treasurer: Meredith Sharpee
- Secretary: Heather Graf